March 2021
Chicagoland Baptists,
Two more Sundays and then Easter! Most Baptists haven’t historically followed what’s been called ‘the church calendar’. We’re Bible people and the only regular rhythm we see in the New Testament seems to be the assembly of the saints on the first day of every week (i.e. Acts 20:7, 1Cor. 16:2). Why did Christians start setting aside Sundays? Because that was the day of the week that Jesus rose from the dead (i.e. Lk. 24:1)! So in a sense every Sunday is Easter Sunday. But it can be helpful to focus intently on the resurrection of Christ on one of our Lord’s Day gatherings. And when the culture around us is celebrating something called Easter, it can provide a great opportunity to share with them the reality and significance of the resurrection. Let us know what kind of upcoming Easter outreaches you have planned and we’d love to pray with you for them.
Here’s someone to know about – Pastor James Shannon. Dr. Shannon grew up in Dexter Avenue Baptist Church in Montgomery, AL. He was baptized at age 12 by Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.! After graduating from college he relocated to Chicago where he taught in the public school system and worked in management for several large corporations, including 25 years at the Leadership Council for Metropolitan Open Communities working for fair housing. In 2007 he planted the Peoples Community Church in Glen Ellyn and has been serving it full-time since 2013. Peoples Community Church has a mission to disciple the churched and the unchurched into the family of God through biblical teaching, preaching, and outreach. Their many ministries include a day-site for the homeless, a food pantry, a grief ministry, domestic violence awareness, substance abuse recovery... He and his wife of over 50 years, Evelyn, have a grown son and daughter. And you can be pastored by him on our Wednesday morning prayer calls!
Here are some events to know about –
IBSA is offering a VBS Clinic on March 27th at Broadview MBC. You can register here.
The annual Priority Women’s Conference is coming up April 23-24. Featured speakers are Anne Graham Lotz, Missie Branch, and Betsy Bolick. You and your group could come to Springfield or host a simulcast. More info here.
If you want to be a messenger at the SBC Annual Meeting this June 15-16 in Nashville, you can pre-register and find out more information here.
If your church has an event you want us to highlight, let us know!
Here’s something else to know about – We pool our resources to do lots of things. One of our entities is the North American Mission Board (NAMB) which helps us send relief, share the gospel, plant churches, and provide chaplains. In addition to receiving a percentage of our Cooperative Program giving, NAMB is funded through the Annie Armstrong Easter Offering. Find out more about it here and consider giving.
And one more thing – Pastor Andrews Colon of FBC Willow Springs is giving away 52 copies of the old Baptist Hymnal. You can email him if you’re interested.
Abiding in Him,
Bryan R. Price
Zone 1 Church Consultant
Leadership Development Team
Illinois Baptist State Association – Chicago
630-908-0853 (Cell)
Nathan Carter
Zone 1 Church Consultant
Leadership Development Team
Illinois Baptist State Association – Chicago
312-493-3726 (Cell)
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Prayer Calls every Wednesday from 9:00 to 9:30 AM!
First Wednesdays of the Month are discussions from 9:00 to 10:00 AM.